At 27....

Yes, I'm back again and this time, I'm re-joining Mama Kats Writers Workshop! Woo hoo! These are fun and I have honestly missed doing them every Thursday. This week's writing assignment: Prompt 1.) Last week we wrote about what we have never done… this week write a list of 22 things you HAVE done. (inspired by Sellabit Mom)

First I'll start with my list of 22 things I HAVE DONE:

I'm 27 years old and I have:
1. Run two Half-Marathons and 1 Full Marathon.
2. Been on a safari in Kenya.
3. Walked 60 miles in three days TWICE for Breast Cancer!
4. Discovered a new career calling.
5. Received countless bouquets of flowers from loving friends and family.
6. Tried speed dating and online dating.
7. Got hooked onto Bikram Yoga and Spinning Classes.
8. Swam in the Great Barrier Reef.
9. I have loved and lost.
10. I've attended 6 fabulous bachelorette parties.
11. Enjoyed countless weekend trips with friends.
12. Traveled to Germany, France and Hawaii all in the same year.
13. Visited several hospitals all over the US with Pin-Ups For Vets and handed out calendars to VETS.
14. Sung at a wedding! (My sister's and it was during the reception)
15. Endured two detoxes/cleanses and I will be doing another one next week.
16. Had brown, blond, black and red hair.
17. Ridden on a camel, an ostrich and an elephant.
18. Been on Oprah's Favorite Things show so I have been on TV too. : )
19. Chopped just about all of my hair off.
20. Gotten two tattoos and 8 piercings.
21. Regretted decisions but ultimately learned from them.
22. Lived in 6 different countries and 2 states.

Now for the things I HAVEN'T DONE!

At 27, I've yet to
1. Have my own professional photo shoot.
2. Go skiing or snowboarding.
3. Endure a cross-country road trip.
4. Be a bridesmaid.
5. Ever have mono. Whew!
6. Meet John Mayer or Beyonce. :(
7. Been on a cruise.
8. Break any bones.
9. Hold a real gun.
10. Call 911.
11. See a shooting star.
12. I've never liked tomatoes, mustard or coffee.
13. Bake bread from scratch.
14. I never had detention in school.
15. I've never wanted to be famous.
16. I've never not missed someone.
17. Ride a motorcycle.
18. Pick up a hitchhiker.
19. Taste caviar.
20. Go skydiving.
21. I've never been married or had a baby... yet.
22. I never thought that I would have a blog!

Updates on Me

If you've been following my blog for awhile then I'm sure you've been noticing that my blogging lately has become random and also kind of rare. Honestly, it's definitely not because my life has become boring and I simply don't have anything to post about. Just the opposite in fact. It's because I've been very busy and blogging has become one of the things that gets dropped.

So to fill you in on what's been going on in my life, here is a brief list with the highlights in no particular order:

1. We shot half of the 2012 Pin-Ups for Vets Calendar earlier this week. Like last year, it was exhausting but so much fun and rewarding. I think I really may have found my calling-production and artistic design work really is my forte. Right Gina? : ) More on this soon. Well, that is, if I have time to blog about it..haha

2. My Invisalign treatment ended this past Monday! Woo! After over a year, I'm happy to report that I like my teeth and look forward to getting them whitened soon too. Unfortunately, I'll always have to wear a retainer at night to bed but I can definitely handle that.

3. I've been dating someone seriously for a few months. I'm really happy and honestly haven't felt this comfortable with a guy in maybe forever. We feel like we've known each other for much longer and time always passes by too quickly when we are together. I haven't been able to stop smiling since we met. It's true what they say, everything around me does seem a little sweeter, a a little better somehow since he came into my life. Ok, I'm totally blushing now so I'll stop. : )

4. For about a month, I've been doing some online marketing for an up-and-coming pop singer, Marie Parie. However, this recently stopped has her finances were decided to be put elsewhere. Guess that's the music business for ya....

5. Along with getting an amazing iPhone a few weeks ago, I also finally caved and joined Twitter. Not sure if it's been that good for me personally but it's certainly a whole new world that I've now been to. Follow me: @LAnLA3

6. Last but certainly not least, I'm having some serious neighbor problems! And no, they don't know about my blog so I'm free to say anything I want about them on here! To make a really long story short, the woman who has the bedroom below mine has the most sensitive ears in the world and probably needs to seek treatment for it! Most nights that I'm home, I get an annoying text message from her telling me to walk softer and be quieter. Ok, first of all, I'm usually not talking or even playing my music loudly or even doing much of anything when I get these messages. I'm simply putting away laundry, blogging on my computer at my desk, walking into my adjoining bathroom and other random everyday things people do in their bedroom.

I've even made several changes because I feel bad for Ms. Sensitive Ears Downstairs. I don't wear shoes in my room, I try not doing much in there after 10pm and I even usually spend 1-2 nights not sleeping at my home. So, really, what is there to complain about? It's ridiculous and I'm so frustrated with her. I just don't know what to do anymore. I've apologized and apologized. Now, I'm just ignoring the texts but I certainly can't do that forever. I also can't walk on egg shells in my room forever either.... What would you do?

My Invisalign Experience

I can’t believe it but I’m on my very last Invisalign tray right now! Check this post out for info on my very first Invisalign tray.

What began as a daunting and long process a little over a year ago has finally almost come to an end and honestly, it was such a painless and speedy experience. Of course, the results have been very impressive as well. It's really been incredible to look at the slides of what my teeth used to look like and where they've been aligned to today. I am so happy that I went ahead and did it.

So last March I started seeing a dentist here in Los Angeles and he quickly became my friend since he was dating my good friend from high school. On one visit at his office, I began asking him about the whole Invisalign process and what exactly it would entail. We were friends by this time so I trusted his opinion. He proceeded to tell me all the facts and what specifically I would need in my case. I just had two little crooked teeth meaning that I wouldn't need to get metal braces and that Invisalign would be a good fit for me. He estimated that it would take about a year and that it would be a super easy process and that I might as well get it taken care of now before my teeth got anymore crooked. As a 26 year old, time was also an issue for me-I didn't want to have to get this fixed any later in my life.

My dentist was 100% correct. My Invisalign experience flew by and I'm so grateful for the positive change it's made to my bite and teeth placement.

Now, some of you may be wondering what is this Invisalign thing all about? Well, let me tell you…

Simply put, Invisalign is the clear alternative to braces. It effectively treats many of the same conditions that used to only require metal braces. They are a series of removable and virtually invisible aligners that gradually move teeth over time to help achieve a great smile and proper bite.

Invisalign works the same way metal braces do which is by moving teeth by applying pressure over time. Invisalign® G3 was introduced earlier this year and it's the most significant collection of new features and technology innovations in the company’s history. This new generation of Invisalign clear braces for both adults and teens, takes treatment capabilities to the highest level yet, making it possible for orthodontists to treat some of the most complex cases - previously only achieved with metal braces. This is sure to make those adults and teens extremely happy! However, in my opinion, the best things about Invisalign is how easy it is to maintain good oral hygiene with them, they are comfortable, affordable and safe for active lifestyles.

While I'm certainly not a teenager anymore, I still had some of those similar worries that teens have at that age before I began the Invisalign treatment: Would I look like a big dork? Would I have a lisp? Would I look really young with them on? And many others.. Invisalign really is the best option for people of any age with those concerns. Firstly, no one can ever tell that I'm wearing them because they are practically invisable. In fact, I even forget that I have them on because they really are clear! Another reason why Invisalign is great for young adults is that it fits their busy lives—the aligners are comfortable and durable, so it’s easy for teens to continue their favorite activities such as playing sports and musical instruments that can be challenging or uncomfortable with traditional metal braces. Invisalign is also removable—the aligners can easily be taken out to eat and brush teeth. This means that it's not necessary to change what you eat at all. Yes, I could eat popcorn and even chew gum!

Was my experience completely great? Well, not entirely, as of course, nothing is perfect. Like braces, I did have some pain on the first day of putting in a new tray. But that would quickly subside and I'd eventually forget that I even had them in. It did take me awhile before I got used to having to take my Invisalign out to eat but this actually made me pick and choose when I ate so I think I actually eat less often now which is a good thing. : )

Knowing all this information now after having gone through the entire process, I can't believe that I was ever considering getting old fashioned metal braces! And all I can say is now, is, wow, what a difference a year of Invisalign has made to my teeth!! Feel free to email me if you are considering getting Invisialign. I'd be more than happy to talk to you one on one about my experience further.

This post was sponsored by Invisalign.

College Life in a 6 Word Memoir

This week's Mama Kat's Writing Prompt that I chose was to write a 6 Word Memoir about a significant time in your life.

The following 6 words come to my mind almost instantly when I think about my college life:

State-side, Independence, Roommate, Cooking, Laundry, Internet

1. State-side - I was living back in the states for the first time since first grade. Talk about experiencing intense culture shock!

2. Independence - Like most college freshman, for the first time in my life, I was living on my own without the watchful eyes of my parents on me. Yikes!

3. Roommate - This was a completely new world. Thankfully, my randomly selected Freshman roommate and I ended up becoming fast and lifelong friends.

4. Cooking - I had never really cooked anything before in my life. This was a fun and challenging new world.

5. Laundry - I had also never done my own laundry before. Thank goodness for the instructions on the back of the detergent bottles! I know, I was incredibly spoiled growing up!

6. Internet - This may sound funny but I had never really used the Internet before going to college and hadn't sent too many emails out either. I don't know what I would have done without being able to email my parents and friends back overseas.

A Vampire in a Leather Jacket

This week's Mama Kat's writing prompt that I chose was "A boy you had crush on... Where is he now?"

Ok, first of all, who didn't I have a crush on? Seriously! I have been boy-crazy since those long ago Kindergarten days. I honestly can't even remember a year when I didn't have a crush on some boy in one of my classes or even just a boy that I admired from afar. There was always someone who caught my eye one way or another.

Sure, maybe I didn't always have the guts to talk to him but I'm pretty sure they were aware that I was interested. You probably couldn't help but notice my staring! During my shy years, sometimes the only exchange that I would even have with a boy would be at the school dances where I would awkwardly wait against one wall with all the other hopeful girls for a boy to ask her to slow dance.

My friends and I would spend hours and hours discussing which boys we liked and why. Then we would analyze every second we ever spent with them and what their actions and words had meant. No gesture would ever go unnoticed. It goes without saying we would endlessly talk about their amazing hair, how cute they looked when they grinned at us, their bright eyes, their cool clothes and most definitely how their last names would look after our first names. I filled up so many notebooks with scribblings of the last names of crushes I had. It's a good thing I never had that embarrassing moment of one of them seeing this.

Despite the countless crushes I've had in my lifetime, I of course will never forget my very first one. His name was Mark.... Oh crap, I don't remember his last name.... (Guess that means I can't stalk him on FACEBOOK! :( ) How can this be?! Oh, maybe it's because I liked him WAY BACK in 1991. I was in 1st grade and he was in 2nd grade. My family and I had just been evacuated from Somalia in East Africa so we were living in Tucson, Arizona for the rest of the school year. For why I was living in Africa, read this post: Background on Moi.

Anyway, back to my crush, Mark. From what I can remember, he had these amazing dark brown eyes and his soft wavy brown hair would fall over them sometimes. He was slightly taller than most other boys in 1st and 2nd grade combined so he totally had that going for him. However, the best thing about him that I can vividly remember was his black leather jacket that he wore every. single. day. Yes, I was smart even back then at age 6 and I knew that leather jackets were the epitome of cool and stylish. He was a "bad boy" at 7 years old and knew what the ladies wanted. Ha! During recess and lunch time, we would run around pretending to be vampires and victims. Mark was the strong vampire every time and all of us little 1st grade girls were his innocent victims. I was usually the last one to be caught. ; ) Even in 1991, the vampire phenomenon was apparent. "Twilight" didn't start that up.


So, where is Mark today? Who knows.... Like I said, I don't remember his last name so I sadly can't look him up on Facebook. Isn't it a shame that I can't specify a search on there with where he went to 2nd grade and what article of clothing did he love.. Or can I? Hmmm.. I might have to investigate this further if only to talk to him about his vampire fetish back then and to find out whatever happened to that awesome leather jacket. : ) I'll keep ya posted!

The ABC's of ME!

I saw this over at Faith, Love and Lipgloss and liked it so much that I had to do it for my own blog.

A. Age: 27! Yikes!

B. Bed size: Queen... I think.. I'm not sure. I thought it was a double for the longest time but those sheets are too small and Queen sheets seem a tad big. Is there such a thing as a small Queen bed size?

C. Chore you hate: Grocery shopping and unloading the dishwasher

D. Dogs: I don't own any at the time but I do love 'em!

E. Essential start to your day: brush teeth and soak Invisalign in denture cleaner-gross, i know.

F. Favorite color: purples and blues

G. Gold or silver: Silver, always silver. I do enjoy an occasional gold long necklace every once in awhile though.

H. Height: I'm not 100% positive but I believe I'm 5'6

I. Instruments you play: Does my voice count? I do own a harmonica thanks to my friend Emily. I used to dabble when I was younger.

J. Job title: Nanny, marketing assistant, eternal music job seeker-yeah, that's a real job now! Blah!

K. Kids: One day.....

L. Live: hmm... music?

M. Mom’s name: Kathryn

N. Nicknames: Little Leah, Leah Weah.. That's about it.. I have such a short name that nicknames are never really needed.

O. Overnight hospital stays: I can't think of any...

P. Pet peeve: People with no manners, arrogant people. I am sure there is more but I can't think of them.

Q. Quote from a movie: "What's with today, today" -Empire Records

R. Right or left handed: right

S. Siblings: 1 older sister

T. Time you wake up: Anywhere between 7 and 9.

U. Underwear: most of the time...haha : )

V. Vegetables you dislike: tomatoes, but technically those are a fruit

W. What makes you run late: sleeping in

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Just the ones at the dentist

Y. Yummy food you make: pecan and chocolate chip banana bread, all my soup concoctions

Z. Zoo-I love animals.

Bye Bye Birdie

It's been awhile so I thought that I would enter Mama Kat's Writing Workshop this week. The prompt that I chose was "describe a time when someone was proud of you".

Of course my parents were proud of me a lot but one time in particular that stands out in my mind was when I was one of the leads in a production of "Bye Bye Birdie" in 10th grade. We were living in Yangon, Myanmar at the time. For a recap of why I was overseas for school, check out this post.

Anyway, I played Rosie, Albert's Spanish singing secretary girlfriend. It was definitely a lot of work! There were daily intense rehearsals that seemed to last forever, lots of dance practices, singing lessons, many lines to memorize, dress fittings and a lot more.

The summer before my 10th grade year, back in the states my mom and I rented the movie version of "Bye Bye Birdie". We watched it together in her bedroom and she said that she could totally picture me playing Rosie and really hoped that I would get that part. When I came home from auditions and told her that I did indeed land the role of Rosie she was ecstatic, she smiled and gave me a big hug. My dad was over the moon too. From that day on, my parents bragged to anyone that would listen that their daughter was playing Rosie in "Bye Bye Birdie". They were incredibly supportive of me throughout the entire process.

On the night of the first performance, my parents walked into my room while I was getting ready to head to school, with a large bouquet of flowers in their hands. They were so proud of me and I hadn't even done the show yet. I'll never forget that moment in my room for as long as I live. My mom was teary eyed even. I promised myself right then that I would do the best possible job that night and the next night up on stage playing Rosie.

Well, the show went off without a hitch. My parents were sitting in the front and center row and throughout the show, I continued to look at their radiant faces. It definitely got me to keep up my energy on stage. There are a million pictures from the show but sadly they are all in my high school scrapbook which is currently in Arizona so I don't have any of those for you to see. All I have is this one that I took a picture of. It was taken right after the show was over.
My parents were always telling me how proud they were of me. After every accomplishment, big or small, they let me know how proud they were. That's all I ever wanted, that's all I do want now, I just want to make them proud of me. I was so proud of the both of them.

Open Book

Most people would say that I like to talk and will willingly tell you just about everything. What can I say, I'm an open book! Well, last night Gina asked me what was one thing that really has helped me get through losing my parents and I told her that it was my openness. I don't like to keep things locked away. I have this need to tell a friend what is bothering me or making me sad. I just don't think any good will come from keeping most things to myself. I also usually feel like I need advice or their input on whatever is happening in my life.

It's been super therapeutic for me to talk about my parents with others. I love when my friends ask me what movies my dad enjoyed or about my mom's favorite music. So please go ahead and ask me anything about their lives. This keeps them alive in today's world. I enjoy telling my sister when she does something that is just like our Mom and Dad. I hope she enjoys hearing it too.

Well, here's hoping you'll continue to listen and be patient with me. : )

Background on Moi

So, in yesterday's post I gave you some background information about LA, today I shall give you some background on moi! However, most of you that will read this already know me and my life story, but for those newbies, here's my 411:

My parents were teachers at American International Schools my whole life so we traveled around a lot. Just about every 4 years, we would move to a new country. I was born in Pakistan and just as I was learning to walk in the airport, we moved to the Gambia, then Venezuela, then Somalia, then Mozambique and finally Myanmar/Burma where I graduated from High School. My parents loved Africa and Southeast Asia the most.

Then I went to college at the University of Arizona. GO CATS! After graduating from there in 2007, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and got my first post college job and starting really living on my own. After living there for almost two and a half years, I felt it was time for a change so I moved to LA. That brings you up to date with my current residence here in sunny Los Angeles.

I've had an amazing life and I feel very blessed that I was able to have all the experiences that I've had thus far and I only hope to have more adventures in my life.

The number one question I get asked after telling my life story is which country was my favorite and that answer is Myanmar. I spent the most time there-6 years and I made the most lasting friendships there. Buddhism is the main religion in Myanmar and it makes for quite the peaceful and kindhearted people. I mean how could you possibly find anything wrong with a religion where they don't even believe in killing ants?! But yes, Myanmar was wonderful. I would love to go back there now and really appreciate the culture more than I did when I was living there. It really is true what they say, "the youth is wasted on the young." I knew that I was having an amazing life living in all those countries but not to the extent that I do now. Oh well, all I can do now is look back on those memories overseas with nothing but gratefulness.

So, this background brings you up to speed with who I had lunch with yesterday, my good 'ole friend from my Myanmar days, Belinda Lee. She was a couple years older than me but we did go to the same high school and thanks to networking sites, aka facebook, we stayed in touch. And I am actually living in her house now! She wanted to move in with her boyfriend and was looking for someone to take over her room in the house so voila, here I am! It all worked out really well and pretty quickly too. The picture above is of her and I in our room. : ) So, not only did I move to this awesome fun city but there also happens to be this huge network of my friends from Myanmar living here too. Two for the price of one, huh?! I look forward to spending lots of time with them and meeting new friends through them too.

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature." -Ralph Waldo Emerson